Buying a franchise can be a rewarding alternative to starting a new business from scratch. Instead of going it alone as an entrepreneur or small business owner, you can benefit from an established brand, a proven business model, the franchisor's experience, and support from other franchise owners. However, while there are good reasons to buy a franchise there are also good reasons not to. It may involve a hefty initial investment as well as ongoing royalty fees and although it may be less risky ...